TREATMENT OUTCOME WITH CLOZAPINE IN TARDIVE-DYSKINESIA, NEUROLEPTIC SENSITIVITY, AND TREATMENT-RESISTANT PSYCHOSIS

  • 1 July 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 48  (7) , 263-267
Abstract
Thirty-eight chronically ill psychotic patients were treated with clozapine for indications of tardive dyskinesia, severe extrapyramidal side effects caused by other neuroleptics, or treatment-resistant psychosis. Fifty-five percent of all patients and 40% of schizophrenics improved with clozapine. Abnormal involuntary movements were suppressed during treatment and, with 1 exception, returned to baseline levels after clozapine was discontinued. Our results support the conclusion that clozapine''s efficacy in refractory cases and its lack of neurological side effects make it a unique neuroleptic with advantages over conventional antipsychotic agents. The drug appears to be safe when treatment is accompanied by frequent clinical and hematologic monitoring.

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